-vs- Steven M. Zelich 8011 W. Lincoln ave., #1 west allis, WI 53219. He is accused of hiding a corpse with the intent to conceal a crime, contrary to sec. 940.11(2) Wis. Stats. He was also convicted of a Class g felony, which carries a maximum sentence of twenty five thousand dollars.
-vs- Steven M. Zelich 8011 W. Lincoln ave., #1 west allis, WI 53219. He is accused of hiding a corpse with the intent to conceal a crime, contrary to sec. 940.11(2) Wis. Stats. He was also convicted of a Class g felony, which carries a maximum sentence of twenty five thousand dollars.
-vs- Steven M. Zelich 8011 W. Lincoln ave., #1 west allis, WI 53219. He is accused of hiding a corpse with the intent to conceal a crime, contrary to sec. 940.11(2) Wis. Stats. He was also convicted of a Class g felony, which carries a maximum sentence of twenty five thousand dollars.
Steven M. Zelich 8011 W. Lincoln Ave., #1 West Allis, WI 53219 DOB: 10/29/1961 Sex/Race: M/W Eye Color: Gray Hair Color: Green Height: 6 ft 2 in Weight: 210 lbs Defendant,
CRIMINAL COMPLAINT
DA Case No.: 2014WL001416 Assigned DA/ADA: Daniel A Necci Agency Case No.: 14-019957
Court Case No.: 14 CF
ATN:
______________________________ of the Walworth County Sheriff's Office, being first duly sworn, on information and belief, states that:
Count 1: HIDING A CORPSE
The above-named defendant on Thursday, June 05, 2014, in the Town of Geneva, Walworth County, Wisconsin, did hide a corpse with the intent to conceal a crime, contrary to sec. 940.11(2) Wis. Stats., a Class G Felony, and upon conviction may be fined not more than Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000), or imprisoned not more than ten (10) years, or both.
Count 2: HIDING A CORPSE
The above-named defendant on Thursday, June 05, 2014, in the Town of Geneva, Walworth County, Wisconsin, did hide a corpse with the intent to conceal a crime, contrary to sec. 940.11(2) Wis. Stats., a Class G Felony, and upon conviction may be fined not more than Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000), or imprisoned not more than ten (10) years, or both.
PROBABLE CAUSE:
1) Your complainant makes this complaint based upon the following, all of which your complainant believes to be reliable. The information in this complaint does not exhaust your complainants knowledge of this incident.
2) Complainant has reviewed the reports of the Walworth County Sheriffs Office which provide that on June 5, 2014, Detective Recknagel responded to a report of two deceased subjects, and each were located in separate suitcases alongside N. Como Rd., approximately mile North of County Road H, in the Town of Geneva, Walworth County, Wisconsin. Recknagel reports that one of the deceased subjects was identified by her dental records as Laura J. Simonson. Recknagel reports that Simonson was found with a STATE OF WISCONSIN - VS - Steven M. Zelich
06/26/2014 2 rope wrapped around her neck, had a sexual ball gag strapped into her mouth with a collar and was naked. Recknagel reports that the second body, hereinafter referred to as Jane Doe was partially concealed in black plastic garbage bag(s) and it was later discovered that her hands were bound with rope behind her back. Recknagel reports that there were obvious signs of decomposition indicating both deceased subjects had been deceased for a long period of time.
3) Recknagel reports that he spoke with Walworth County Deputy Coroner Ron Wilson at the scene on June 5, 2014, and that Wilson pronounced both individuals deceased at the scene.
4) Recknagel reports that he spoke with a Steven M. Zelich, hereinafter referred to as the Defendant, who stated that he met Jane Doe via an online chatting in 2012. Recknagel reports that the Defendant stated that he and Doe met in person in late 2012, or early 2013, in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Recknagel reports that the Defendant admitted that, during that meeting he caused the death of Jane Doe. Recknagel reports that the Defendant further admitted that, after causing her death, he put Jane Doe in a suitcase and hid her at his home in West Allis, and that he later hid Jane Does body in his vehicle in 2014.
5) Recknagel reports that the Defendant further admitted meeting Simonson online. Recknagel reports that the Defendant admitted that he met personally with Simonson in Rochester, Minnesota, in November of 2013. Recknagel reports that the Defendant further admitted that, during this meeting with Simonson, he caused her death, put her in a suitcase, and transported and hid her body in his vehicle.
6) Recknagel reports that the Defendant went on to admit that during the first week of June 2014, he transported the bodies of Simonson and Jane Doe in the trunk of his vehicle to the location officers discovered them in the Town of Geneva, Walworth County, Wisconsin, where he hid them off of the road way in the tall grass.
Subscribed and sworn to before me, and approved for filing on: _________________________________ Complainant This _____ day of June, 2014.
_______________________________ Assistant District Attorney